Monthly Update - January Edition (For links to each article, email me) Friends, The 121st General Assembly commenced two weeks ago. My reaction to the first two weeks? Simply put, my eyes are opening more each day. There are some exceptional people down there with the intention of improving the state. Nearly 300 bills have already been filed in the House and Governor Haley presented her State of the State outlining a number of issues she would like addressed, specifically her transportation plan. As for the House this week, I expect you will see some ethics bills on the House floor and a release of the House transportation plan. I have hope that there is enough common ground between Gov. Haley, the House and the Senate for significant improvements to occur with roads. Meanwhile, the two subcommittees I serve on, transportation and k-12, will meet for the first time this week. If interested in the day-to-day actions, please follow me. Constituent of the Month - Fox Simons This weeks constituent of the month is Fox Simons. Fox has been Easleys City Administrator for the past eight years. Unfortunately for Easley, he and his wife Lori have received an opportunity to be the assistant city administrator in Myrtle Beach. Fox is a Syracuse, New York native. He received a masters degree in public administration from American University and a BA in history and political science from High Point University. I asked Fox what he thought were his biggest accomplishments in Easley. Typical reaction from him, he first said it was a team effort. However, he listed the development of the Easley Town Center and the jobs that has followed. He listed the pending development of the Doodle Trail. Other, smaller projects include the stormwater repairs that will occur in Oak Creek, the dog park at Hagood Park, and redevelopment of Kings Park. Finally, he listed the citys advancement in IT. I asked Fox about his thoughts on Easleys future. He stated the continued development of downtown Easley will be critical along with the planning and management of growth. Growth equates to more demands and service. Fox also stated that his family has been blessed to have called Easley home and he sees nothing but positive things for Easleys future. Fox, thank you your service to the city, county, and state. Were going to miss you! Judge Race in Pickens County Two local attorneys, Jim Alexander, Esq. and Perry Gravely, Esq., filed to fill the vacancy of Seat 1 of the 13th Circuit. We, in the Legislature, will vote between these two men on February 4. Both are seeking commitments prior to February 4. It was a tough decision evidenced by our state delegation split. Senator Martin and Chairman Hiott have committed to Mr. Alexander. Judge Clary and I have committed to Mr. Gravely. Thus, the decision will ultimately be decided in the General Assembly. State News - Roads December 22: Op-ed, Bridges Failing January 10: Op-ed by Rep. Tommy Stringer January 12: Gov. Haleys proposed budget emphasizes education over roads January 19: $7.4 million paid last year for claims against bad roads in SC. January 21: Gov. Haley gave her State of the State. In it, she proposed a three-pronged idea for roads: (a) reform DOT, (b) increase gas tax by 10 cents over 3 years, and (c) reduce state income tax from 7% to 5% over 10 years. My Significant Political Activity (follow on Facebook for all) I have co-sponsored the following legislation: (a) shorten the legislative session, (b) remove Superintendent of Education from an elected position to an appointed position by the Governor, and (c) CPR in Schools, and (d) Trespasser Responsibility Act. I accepted a position as a GOP whip. I now serve on GPATS. GPATS was created to ensure that transportation planning is carried out on the regional scale, in order to allocate federal and state funding for transportation projects. Other State/Local News December 27: SC National Guard protecting D.C. December 28: Pros/cons of body cameras on police officers. December 30: Milliken, St. Jude plan expansions in Pickens County. December 30: Gov. Haley asks Supreme Court to rehear Abbeville decision. January 2: State prosecutors are asking for $7.7 million in additional state funding to pay for more prosecutors. Greenville County has 34 prosecutors, each responsible for 427 cases each. Pickens County has 6 prosecutors, each responsible for 631 cases each. Tom OHanlan, CEO of Sealevel Systems in Liberty is the feature of Ten at the Tops In Their Words. Click here to listen to his thoughts on the current and future status of the Upstate and whey collaboration is important. January 4: Legislature needs to work on education. January 4: Op-ed by Senator Larry Martin. January 7: New Legislative Oversight committee plans to review the Comptroller Generals office, the Department of Consumer Affairs, First Steps, DJJ, and DSS in 2015. January 12: Gov. Haleys interview: ethics reform should be Legislatures first priority. January 14: Gov. Haleys Inaugural Speech. January 15: Public Service Commission issues cease-and-desist order against Uber. Gov. Haley responds. January 20: Speaker Lucas announces creation of an Education Reform Task Force. January 21: Sassafras Mountain to record weather data. January 26: SC Supreme Court denies re-hearing request for Abbeville education decision. December 2014 I have pledged to be a most transparent representative. Especially considering the current political climate, I will account each month for the benefits received and the work accomplished. The numbers are not to brag or complain - they are intended to provide an example of how hard most elected officials work for you. I am honored to be the Representative for my hometown, District 5. I believe public service is noble and I will try to uphold the integrity of the office in every action I do. If youre not already, I encourage you to follow me on Facebook. I highlight most meetings attended. In December: I attribute 79.5 hours to political activities in the month of December. I attended 20 meetings, including three in Columbia. Benefits: I received $2,145.26 pay in December and two lunches. Thus, benefits totaled approximately $2,175.26 ($15 per meal). Unpaid personal expenses: gas to all 20 meetings totaled approximately 1,000 miles (federal mileage reimbursement would total $560). Thus, personal expenses totaled $560. Therefore, in December, I spent $560 of personal money and received $2,175.26 in benefits. With 79.5 hours of work, that equates to $20.31 per hour. Keeping a running tab since starting in August 2014, I have spent $3,199.80 of personal money and received $2,445.26 in benefits. With 423.5 hours of work, that equates to a 21 hour work week and a negative $1.78 per hour rate. Mark Your Calendars! Thursday, January 29 at 12pm - Doodle Trail groundbreaking ceremony at 409 East Cedar Rock St, Pickens Thursday, January 29 at 4pm-8pm - Pickens County Humane Society fundraiser at Monkey Joes in Greenville. Half of the $10 fee goes to the Humane Society. Friday, January 30 at 2pm - Pickens County Meals on Wheels will have a groundbreaking ceremony at the new building in Liberty. Tuesday, February 3 - YMCA fundraiser at Grouchos Deli - 10% of sales from 3pm-9pm go to YMCA. Monday, February 9 at 7pm - Easley City Council meeting. Monday, February 16 - Pickens County Council meeting. Monday, February 23 at 6pm - Pickens County School Board meeting. Saturday, February 28 at 8am: Pickens County Humane Society fundraiser breakfast at GateHouse Restaurant in Pickens. Do you have a community event you want to highlight? Let me know. Sincerely, Neal
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 03:52:14 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015